Matthew’s response was faint, almost drowned out by the weight of his words. “It’s not her.”
Neville’s curiosity nudged him forward. “Is it about Stella?”
Cordell, watching Matthew closely, furrowed his brow. He had seen Matthew and Stella together earlier at the hospital, and their departure had seemed perfectly fine. How could things have spiraled so quickly in just a few short hours?
Matthew remained silent. He picked up his glass of water, took a slow sip, and then sat back, his gaze clouded with a storm of emotions too complex to unravel.
Seeing Matthew’s silence, Neville pressed on, his voice deliberate.
“Stella is still young, beautiful, and capable. If you’re really contemplating divorce, maybe it’s better to rip off the band-aid sooner rather than later. You’re not lacking admirers, and if Stella finds herself single again, I’m sure there’ll be no shortage of suitors. It might even be for the best for both of you.”
At these words, Cordell’s instincts kicked in. He quickly tugged at Neville’s sleeve, whispering urgently, “Stop talking. You’re only adding fuel to the fire.”
But Neville, undeterred, continued, “Matthew, instead of drowning in your drink, why not face the problem head-on? Didn’t you plan on divorcing Stella? What’s holding you back now?”
Matthew’s grip on his glass tightened, his knuckles paling under the pressure. His cold gaze shot a warning so sharp it could freeze the air.
Neville, seemingly unfazed by the ice in Matthew’s stare, continued, “I’ve heard Miley’s got someone lined up for Stella. They’re just waiting for you two to finalize things. The man’s already ready to go.”
Matthew’s face hardened. His voice cut through the air. “Don’t you dare have such plans for Stella.”
Neville arched an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Oh? You care so much about Stella. If that’s the case, why are you two at odds? Is married life too boring for you, and you’ve decided to spice it up with drama?”
At that moment, Cordell realized Neville was pushing Matthew’s buttons on purpose. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Matthew’s recent behavior toward Stella was unnecessarily harsh. Perhaps this provocation might help Matthew see things with clearer eyes.
Matthew’s mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t make sense of his feelings for Stella anymore. He had once been resolute in his decision to divorce her, but now, even the thought of it left him uneasy-like a fire burning beneath his skin, too hot to ignore, yet too confusing to understand.
Cordell, sensing the deeper struggle, spoke up, his voice soft but earnest. “Stella’s always been there for you, especially with your amnesia. She’s been patient, understanding your pain, and constantly thinking of you. But you can’t keep pushing her away like this. Even the strongest relationships have their breaking points.”
He recalled the scene earlier at the hospital, when Lindsay had suddenly appeared, and his tone grew more serious. “If you don’t handle the situation with Lindsay, you might really end up divorcing Stella.”
Matthew paused for a moment, his voice barely above a whisper as he finally said, “I understand.”
Neville, however, was unyielding. “If you truly understood, you wouldn’t be here sulking over a drink. If you keep this up, you’ll push Stella away for good. Then what? You’ll regret it.”
Matthew’s brows furrowed, his expression growing tense. A flicker of worry clouded his eyes, making his seriousness all the more evident.
Neville had meant to tease, but Matthew’s sudden shift in demeanor left him startled. Concerned, he asked, “What’s wrong? Has Stella really stopped Liking you?”
Matthew’s face darkened further, a shadow crossing his features.
He was all too aware of the people Stella frequently interacted with.
The young man he saw at her studio earlier was unfamiliar, and their casual, animated conversation didn’t seem like one between business partners.
What unsettled him the most was Stella’s demeanor-so warm and relaxed with the stranger, a side she rarely showed around him. The thought gnawed at him.